Period delay tablets can postpone your period for a short time, which many people find useful for a holiday, wedding, exam or sporting event. With Global Health you can request period delay tablets online in Ireland for €25. You complete a secure questionnaire, a doctor registered with the Irish Medical Council reviews your answers, and if treatment is clinically suitable your prescription is sent to the Irish pharmacy of your choice. If it is not suitable, the doctor explains why and suggests what to do next. Plan ahead, as the tablets need to be started before your period is due.
What is included
- A review of your medical questionnaire by an Irish Medical Council-registered doctor
- A prescription for period delay medication, if clinically suitable
- Secure electronic delivery of the prescription to your chosen pharmacy in Ireland
- Written advice on when to start the tablets and what to expect
- Secure messaging with the doctor about your request
The €25 fee covers the doctor's review. The cost of the medication is paid separately at your pharmacy.
Who this service is not suitable for
Our doctors cannot safely prescribe period delay tablets online if you:
- are under 18
- are pregnant or think you might be
- have had a blood clot in a leg or lung, a stroke, a heart attack or heart disease
- have a close family member who had a blood clot at a young age, or a known clotting disorder
- have had breast cancer, liver disease or unexplained vaginal bleeding
- have irregular periods and cannot predict when your next one is due
If any of these apply, please book a video consultation with a GP so a doctor can assess you properly.
How it works
- Complete the questionnaire. Answer questions about your periods, general health and any medication you take. It takes about five minutes.
- Doctor review. An Irish-registered doctor reviews your answers against clinical guidance and may message you if more information is needed.
- Prescription sent. If treatment is suitable, the prescription is sent securely by Healthmail to the Irish pharmacy you choose, ready for you to collect.
What is period delay?
Your period starts when levels of the hormone progesterone fall at the end of each menstrual cycle, causing the womb lining to shed. Period delay works by keeping progesterone levels high for longer, so the lining stays in place until you stop taking the tablets.
How period delay tablets work
Period delay tablets contain a progestogen, a man-made version of progesterone. Taken regularly, they hold off the drop in hormone levels that triggers bleeding. Once you stop, hormone levels fall and your period usually arrives within a few days. The tablets do not change your fertility or the length of future cycles in the long term.
Other reasons a period may be late
A period that is late without medication is a different matter. Pregnancy, stress, illness, weight change, intense exercise, thyroid problems and polycystic ovary syndrome can all affect your cycle. If your period is late and you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test. If your periods are often irregular, a GP should assess you.
Period delay treatment options
There are two main ways to delay a period, depending on whether you already use hormonal contraception.
Period delay tablets
- start the tablets three days before your period is due to begin
- take them regularly through the day, as directed on your prescription
- continue for as long as you need to delay your period, within the limit your doctor sets
- your period usually starts within two to three days of taking the last tablet
Breakthrough spotting can occasionally happen, especially if doses are missed or taken late. Taking the tablets at evenly spaced times helps.
If you take the combined pill
If you already take a combined contraceptive pill, you may be able to delay your period without extra medication by starting your next pack straight away and skipping the pill-free break. For most types this is safe and recognised practice, although some spotting is possible. Check your pill type with your doctor or pharmacist first, because some pills with different coloured tablets need specific advice.
Side effects and safety
Many people take period delay tablets without problems. Possible side effects include bloating, sore breasts, headaches, nausea, mood changes and changes in sex drive. These usually stop when the course ends.
Period delay tablets are not a contraceptive. They will not protect you from pregnancy, so use condoms or another reliable method during the time you take them. They also do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
The medication can slightly raise the risk of a blood clot (venous thromboembolism). The risk is higher if you smoke, are over 35, have a high body mass index (BMI), have recently had surgery, or will be immobile for long periods, such as on a long-haul flight. On long journeys, keep hydrated and walk around or move your legs regularly. Your doctor checks these risk factors before prescribing, so answer the questionnaire fully.
When to see a doctor in person
Call 112 or 999, or go to an emergency department, if you develop pain or swelling in one leg, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing up blood, a sudden severe headache, or weakness on one side of the body. These can be signs of a blood clot or stroke. See your GP if your period does not return after stopping the tablets, if you have bleeding between periods or after sex, or if your periods are very heavy or painful. You can also meet our Irish-registered doctors or see all online prescription services.